Ah bella Italia – the sweetness of doing nothing (translation of aforementioned title).
There’s an approach to life in Italy that is – in my opinion – worth emulating.
Life moves slower.
People are kinder.
Food tastes better.
The old, the different is appreciated, revered even.
The list goes on.
Though I’ve technically been wearing rose-tinted sunglasses on this trip, I know this country is far from perfect. But there’s something new I’ve noticed about this country to add to the above love list: the Italians are so very accommodating and welcoming to people with different abilities.
I casually picked up on it last summer when I was traveling here solo. I saw many Italian families walking around with their differently abled children – out in the open, taking up space, living their lives.
Being with Lily here this summer brought this to light. She walks into a place and is welcomed with open arms – and even a few kisses. Sometimes it’s a little over the top but what it says to her, to us, is that ‘you are welcome and you matter.’
Other than the occasional tourist (usually American* or British), we aren’t getting stared at or paid any more attention to than anyone else. It is so refreshing.
It’s been a beautiful, often difficult vacation. Traveling with a family member who has disabilities is hard. But she’s been doing mostly great and we’ve been able to make wonderful memories – staying in a magnificent villa in Tuscany and traveling through that magical region with my brother, sister and their families. Then we parted ways and headed north to the lakes region for a few days.
Below are just a few highlights from our adventures. If you want to see more photos, let me know. I’d be happy to oblige!!!
*I yelled at an American family in Volterra the other day to ‘stop staring’. Lily wasn’t being disruptive, just doing her Lily thing. People can be assholes. Don’t be one of them.
blueberriesandgiggles 